Archery bow safety quiver method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises an archery bow safety quiver apparatus and method for the application thereof. An archer&#39;s bow-stock hand is freed from the task of holding the arrow in a loaded position by an arrow support holding an arrow in a loaded position without interfering with launching of the arrow during release of the arrow by the archer. As the archer draws the arrow back, the support releases the arrow tip and automatically moves the arrow support out of the arrow&#39;s launch/flight path.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/142,255 filed Jan. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an archery bow safety quiver.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Patents related to the current invention are summarized herein.

Arrow Dispenser

G. Pugh, “Arrow Holding and Loading Device for Archery Bows”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,762 (Apr. 25, 1989) describes an arrow holding and loading device for an archery bow that includes a frame bolted to the bow that supports a carriage that moves horizontally from left to right at the front of the bow to automatically shift a follow-up arrow into shooting position upon release by the archer of an initial arrow.

J. Hedrick, “Rotating Arrow Dispenser”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,204 (Dec. 23, 2003) describes a rotatable quiver mounted on a bow, where the quiver includes a rotatable subassembly including slotted discs mounted on a central rod for dispensing multiple arrows. The rotatable subassembly is mounted on a quiver bracket. An optional lock mechanism and device mounting components are also mounted to the quiver bracket.

Arrow Stabilizer/Guide

W. Damron, “Archery Guiding Device for Archery Bow”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,407 (Sep. 22, 1991) describes an archery bow arrow guiding device including a two section jointed tubular member through which slotted clearance is provided for the passage of the head and fletchings of an arrow, the guiding device being foldable for storage.

R. Henrich, “Adjustable Multi-Function Rotary Bow Stabilizer”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,567 (Mar. 13, 1990) describes a bow stabilizer mounted to a bow for balancing and dampening the vibrations during shooting. The stabilizer includes a shaft threaded to the bow handle and extending in a forward direction therefrom. A weight member is axially and radially mounted to the shaft by an offset bracket, which is slidably and rotatably mounted about the shaft to provide variable weighting about the shaft.

L. Jones, et. al. “Crossbow Arrow Stabilizer”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,822 (Aug. 14, 1990) describe a crossbow arrow stabilizer designed to stabilize an arrow in a loaded configuration. The stabilizer includes an arrow stabilizer block slidably mounted in a stabilizer block housing of the crossbow forestock in concert with a pair of internally mounted coil springs, where the arrow stabilizer block is raised against the bias of the coil springs to receive an arrow shaft. Release of the bow string by the trigger in the crossbow forces the arrow from the arrow stabilizer block and allows the arrow stabilizer block to seat on the bottom of the stabilizer block housing by operation of the coil spring.

F. Sisko, “Arrow Stabilizer Apparatus”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,633 (Oct. 19, 1993) describes an arrow stabilizer apparatus for mounting to the riser of an archery bow to support and stabilize an arrow during the shooting process. The arrow stabilizer includes a tubular shaped body member laterally mounted to the riser of the archery bow. The body member includes an elongated bore and a slot cut from the body member to permit longitudinal and coaxial loading of the arrow into the bore. A retractable and insertable spring biased top plunger is mounted to the body member and projects down into the bore for contacting the arrow and maintaining its longitudinal orientation during the shooting process.

A. Findley, “Bow Stabilizer”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,793 (Aug. 23, 1994) describes a bow stabilizer for dampening bow string and arrow release forces, where the stabilizer includes a cylindrical housing fitted with a pair of end caps, where one of the end caps is fitted with a threaded stud for mounting the housing on a bow. The opposite end cap is fitted with a tapped opening for mounting one of many accessory items, such as a flexible, pliant, deformable, and resilient suppressor member disposed inside the cylindrical housing where the suppressor member includes a bore for receiving a metal core. The core is free to exhibit multidirectional movement and depress the resilient suppressor member in response to release of an arrow from the bow.

D. Denbow, “Bow Stabilizer”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,134 (May 18, 1999) describes a bow stabilizer using a stabilizer weight movable along a guide rod to counteract vibrations created by launching an arrow.

J. Goff, et. al., “Archery Stabilizer and Drawlock”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,004 (Aug. 31, 1999) describe a combination stabilizer/drawlock device adapted for use with an archery bow. The device includes a draw tube attached to the rearward end of the of a mounting bracket. The back end of the draw tube supports a bow string mechanical release at a full draw position when the bow is drawn beyond the full draw position. The device uses the draw tube as a stabilizer.

J. Pinto, “Arrow Stabilizer for Archery Bow”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,541 (May 6, 2003) describes an arrow support for supporting an arrow in an archery bow that includes a planar ring circumferentially surrounding the arrow that corrects distortion induced in the arrow upon release by an archer.

Riser

D. Bruman, “Archery Bow Riser Providing Universal Fit, Improved Stability and Muscles Transfer for Extended Hold Time”, U.S. patent publication no. US 2003/0131837 A1 (Jul. 17, 2003) describes an archery bow riser having an elongated central body and two opposing arms attached at the far end of the central body and extending outwards to attach opposing bow limbs. The central body having a stabilizer tube support channel extending along a portion of the body, to which is fitted a stabilizer tube. The riser body together with the stabilizer tube and channel providing improved stability and accuracy.

Safety

B. Pellerite, “Triggerless Release Aids and Laser Equipped Pneumatic Training Aid for the Safe Drawing of the Bowstring”, U.S. patent application publication no. US 2003/0159682 A1 (Aug. 28, 2003) describes an adjustable bowstring release devise comprised of three handle designs and a two piece catch that captures the bowstring for the purpose of safe drawing and releasing of the bowstring. A pneumatic tube is secured to the bow and bowstring with an arrow and piston inside for safe drawing and firing of the archery bow. When the archer looses the string and it drives the arrow forward, the piston creates pneumatic air resistance, akin to a hand operated bicycle pump, sufficient to prevent damage to the bow and/or its components from loosing the string without an actual arrow on the string.

C. Winton, “Launching Apparatus for Archery Bow and Arrows”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,840 (Aug. 17, 1999) describes an archery bow including a ring-like member attached to the bow and a tubular member slidingly received with the ring-like member, the tubular member having an end attached to the drawstring. An arrow is slidably received within an interior of the tubular member with the arrowhead extending from a far end of the tubular member. The tube-like member yields an improved launching mechanism for the archer, akin to a barrel, and the ring-like member prevents axial movement of the tubular member during launching of the arrow.

B. Pellerite, “Laser Equipped Pneumatic Training aid for Safe Drawing of the Bowstring”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,643 (May 15, 2007) describes an archery dry firing safety system that uses a pneumatic secured to an archery bow and bowstring with an arrow and piston inside for safe drawing and firing of the archery bow. When the archer looses the string and it drives the arrow forward, the piston creates pneumatic air resistance, akin to a hand operated bicycle pump, sufficient to prevent damage to the bow and/or its components from loosing the string without an actual arrow on the string.

Problem

There exists in the art a need for safely transporting an arrow in a bow in a loaded position ready for release by an archer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an archery bow safety quiver apparatus and method for the application thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a bow, arrow, and safety quiver system in a loaded state (FIG. 1A) and further illustrates the bow, arrow, and safety quiver system in a firing state (FIG. 1B);

FIG. 2 illustrates a rocker arm/base bar assembly in a loaded state (FIG. 2A) and the rocker arm/base bar assembly in a firing state (FIG. 2B);

FIG. 3 illustrates a pushing force based retraction system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bowed support element retraction system; and

FIG. 5 provides steps for method of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an archery bow safety quiver apparatus and method for the application thereof. More particularly, the archer's bow stock hand is freed from the task of holding the arrow in a loaded position, such as while standing or walking. Still more particularly, a method and apparatus are described for an arrow support holding an arrow in a loaded position without interfering with launching of the arrow during release of the arrow by the archer. As the archer draws the arrow back, the support releases the arrow tip and automatically moves out of the arrow's launch/flight path.

Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an arrow safety and deployment system 100 is described. Typically, a bow 110 includes a riser 112, a threaded mounting hole, threaded mounting extension, or bolt 114 on an outer edge of the riser, and an arrow rest 115 or mounting ledge. The arrow rest 115 is either of a fixed type or drop away type. An arrow 120 includes a shaft, which mounts on the arrow rest 115, a notch, and a tip 125, such as a broadhead. The system 100 is shown in two states, a safety position or loaded position, FIG. 1A, and a firing position, FIG. 1B. The system operates in conjunction with a bow 110 and arrow 120. The system 100 includes a moveable arrow support 130 running from the bow 110, such as at the mounting hole 114 of the bow 110, to the arrow tip 125 or arrow broadhead. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the arrow support 130 contains means for providing a force away from a line defined by a mounted arrow. The force is countered by the arrow tip 125 being positioned within an arrow support tip of the arrow support 130. Referring now to FIG. 1B, when, during use, the arrow is drawn back toward the archer for launching the countering force provided by the arrow tip is removed and the means for providing a force away from the line defined by the mounted arrow moves the arrow support 130 out of an area proximate the line defined by the mounted arrow. Several examples are provided to further illustrate the arrow deployment system.

An axis system is defined relative to the bow 110 and mounted arrow 120. An x-axis runs along a line parallel to the mounted arrow, such as from the arrow tip 125, along the arrow shaft 120, and to the arrow nock next to the string of the bow 110. A z-axis runs perpendicular to the x-axis along the length of the bow, such as from the base of the bow to the top of the bow. The axis system moves with the bow and mounted arrow. For example, if the archer is launching the arrow horizontally with an upright bow, then the x-axis is parallel to the ground and the z-axis is aligned with gravity. A y-axis across the bow is perpendicular to a plane defined by the x- and z-axes.

In a first example, an example of an arrow safety and/or deployment system is described. The arrow support 130 is optionally composed of one, two, three, four, or more pieces. At a minimum, the arrow support 130 includes an element mounted to the bow 110 that extends to the mounted arrow tip. The mounted support element contains a retracting force or a z-axis force, such as a spring force that pulls down the z-axis against the arrow tip when the arrow tip is mounted into a receiving element of the arrow support 130. The mounted arrow 120 provides a counter force that operates to balance the z-axis force of the mounted arrow support 130. When the archer initiates a draw of the arrow 120, such as a draw of about one quarter, one-half, three-quarters, one, two, or more inches, the counter force provided by the mounted arrow 120 to the arrow support 130 is removed and the retracting force or z-axis force moves the arrow support 130 out of the launching path of the arrow and its associated fletchings. For example, the tip of the support is moved downward along the z-axis about one-half, one, two, three or more inches. Similarly, if the arrow support 130 is mounted to an upper end of the bow 110 above the grip of the archer, then the retracting force would pull the tip of the support upwards along the z-axis. Further, if the support is mounted to the edge of the bow, then the force supplied by the mounted support would pull the tip of the support along a y-axis. In any event, the force supplied by the mounted support moves the tip of the support out of the launching path of the arrow.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, in another example the arrow support 130 includes a base bar 134, a rocker arm 136, and a quiver cup 138. The base bar includes a bow mounting end directly or indirectly mounted to the bow 110, such as via a threaded bolt running into the threaded mounting hole 114 on the riser 112 of the bow 110. The base bar also contains an axially extended end, which connects to the rocker arm 136. The rocker arm moves or pivots upon drawing of the arrow 120 by the archer, as described infra. The rocker arm extends radially outward from the bow and includes an element for replaceably holding the arrow tip 125. Preferably, the rocker arm 136 contains a quiver cup attachment 138 that mounts to an upper surface of the rocker arm.

Benefits

The safety and deployment system 100 solves several problems in the art.

Traditionally, when carrying a notched arrow in a bow, the archer must use a forefinger to wrap around the arrow shaft near the arrow rest 115 or support ledge. A first benefit of the system is that the arrow is supported in a loaded position without intervention by the archer. Second, the quiver cup attachment protects the arrowhead or broadhead from the environment, which can dull the broadhead or prematurely open a mechanical broadhead. Third, the quiver protected broadhead protects the archer and those around the archer from the razor sharp broadhead surfaces. Fourth, when releasing, firing, or shooting the arrow, the system works as a stabilizer to enhance accuracy and/or precision. Fifth, the archer or hunter is carrying a loaded bow that is ready for action. Sixth, the archer is protected from arm fatigue.

Quiver Cup Attachment

Herein, the quiver cup attachment 138 is used to describe an interface with the arrow 120 and/or arrow tip 125. However, the examples provided for the quiver cup attachment 138 equally apply to the axially extended end of the rocker arm 136. The quiver cup attachment holds and/or protects the arrow tip 125. For example, the quiver cup attachment includes one or more of:

-   -   an open ended tube housing at least a portion of the arrow tip;     -   a tube-like housing having at least one open end configured to         receive the arrow tip during use;     -   a foam and/or rubber like material in which the arrow tip is         partially embedded;     -   a loop holding an outer end of the arrow and/or arrow tip;     -   a material having an indented surface, such as an indented         cone-like surface configured to receive the arrow tip during         use;     -   a tubular shaped element with a centrally bored core;     -   a deformable material suppressing movement of the arrow tip; and     -   a housing partially enclosing a deformable or y- and/or z-axis         motion dampening material configured to deform upon partial         insertion of the arrow tip during use.

The mechanical device optionally additionally protects the broadhead from the elements, such as moisture, snow, or rain.

The quiver cup 138 optionally includes a binding force and/or spring closing action, which upon insertion of the arrow tip 125 into the sponge like and/or deformable material in the quiver 138 holds the arrow 120 in place.

Rocker Arm

The rocker arm is herein further described. In its broadest sense, the rocker arm is configured with an energy source or to operate under the influence of an energy source, preferably a potential energy source, sufficient to move the interface of the arrow support 130 out of a cross-sectional area crossed by any part of the arrow 120 during launch and/or release. Several examples are used to illustrate the energy source associated with the rocker arm 136 movement.

Example I

In a first example, a pulling force, such as an o-ring is used to move the rocker arm 136. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the rocker arm 136 is hingedly attached to the base bar 134. In the illustrated example two o-rings 139 provided the z-axis force necessary to move the end of the arrow support 130 out of the arrow flight path upon drawing of the arrow 120. In practice, one, two, three, or more o-rings 139 are used to pull the quiver cup attachment 138 out of the arrow flight path.

Example II

Referring now to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, o-rings are used to move the rocker arm 136. The rocker arm 136 is attached to the base bar 134, such as with a hinge or by rotating about a fixed element. Preferably, the base bar contains one or more grooves circumferentially located about an outer axially extending surface of the base bar. As illustrated, two o-rings 139 are fitted to the two circumferential grooves illustrated near the outer end of the base bar. Referring now to FIG. 2A, the arrow is inserted into a safety position as illustrated in FIG. 1A, which applies the counter force to the rocker arm 136 either directly or indirectly. The counter force holds the outer o-ring in a stretched state and the second o-ring is also observed in a lesser stretched state. When the arrow is drawn, such as in FIG. 1B, the counter force is removed and the o-rings constrict pulling the rocker arm along the z-axis away from the line defined by the mounted arrow, FIG. 2B. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a third o-ring 139 is optionally maintained along the base bar 134 and is readily rolled into a position to apply force to the rocker arm 136 if additional retracting force is required or if the first or second o-rings break.

Example III

In a third example, a pushing force, such as a spring, is used to retract the rocker arm 136 away from a flight path of the arrow. Referring now to FIG. 3, the base bar includes a spring 310 and spring support element 320. In the illustrated position, the spring 310 is in an extended position having pushed, retracted, the rocker arm away from the arrow flight path corresponding to the firing position of the bow illustrated in FIG. 1B. When in the loaded position corresponding to FIG. 1A, the spring 310 is in a more compressed state. In this embodiment, guiding elements, not illustrated, are optionally used to ensure that the spring does not slip away from the rocker arm 136 during use.

Example IV

In a fourth example, a semi-flexible material in a bowed configuration in the safety position provides the necessary retraction energy when the arrow is drawn by the archer to move a restrictor arm 410 out of the trajectory of the released arrow. Referring now to FIG. 4, the concept is shown illustratively. At a first point in time, t₁, the restrictor arm 410, which is a specific type of rocker arm, is shown in a bowed configuration, which is at a higher potential energy than a natural unflexed state of the restrictor arm. At a second point in time, t₂, the archer draws the arrow back and a connection between the arrow tip 125 and restrictor arm is released and the restrictor arm 410 moves to a natural state position out of the release path of the arrow.

Example V

In a fifth example, the rocker arm 136 optionally contains one or more twists for mechanical strength and/or to provide a proper mounting configuration to match constrains induced by orientation of a mounted attachment, such as the mounting cup 138.

Example VI

In a sixth example, the optional pivot connecting the rocker arm 136 to the base bar 134 allows the rocker arm 136 to fold up to a position about parallel the length of the bow, which facilitates transport and/or storage of the bow.

Base Bar

The optional base bar 134 has multiple purposes. First, the base bar provides an optional radial extension securely mounted to the bow 110, which provides a mounting point for the retraction energy sources or pulling sources, such as the o-rings 139, or pushing force elements, such as the spring 310. Second, the base bar 134 provides an attachment point for the retractor arm 136 to the standard bow attachment riser tapped mounting hole, as described supra. Third, the base bar provides a distance adjustment for adjusting the distance between the end of the quiver cup 138 and the bow 110 or bow riser 112. The adjustment allows for different length arrows to be readily used while still being notched between the bow string and fitting into the quiver cup in the safety position or loaded position. As illustrated, the base bar 134 or optionally uses a bolt to attach the base bar to a threaded extension element 132 and the extension element uses a wing nut for quick connection to the threaded mounting extension 114 attached or embedded into the riser 112.

Stabilizer

Multiple elements described herein additionally function as a stabilizer or an element of a stabilizer, including the threaded extension element 132, base bar 134, rocker arm 134, and quiver cup 138.

Attachments

In the field of archery, many attachments attach to the bow 110, such as via the mounting hole or mounting peg on the riser 114. For example, a dampening device is optionally attached to the riser 112 of the bow 110. These attachments are optionally attached to the arrow support 130 or are embedded into the arrow support 130.

Method of Use

The method of use of the apparatus is described, supra. Referring now to FIG. 5, a specific example of a method of use of the archery bow safety quiver 200 is described. A arrow is mounted to the bow and at least a portion of the arrow is inserted and/or removeably attached to a safety quiver end of the arrow support 210. Optionally, the now loaded bow is held and/or transported 220, such as used by a hunter walking or standing in the field. The archer then draws the arrow, which automatically releases the arrow support 230. After the arrow support 130 automatically withdraws from a launching path of the arrow, the archer is free to launch and/or release the arrow 240.

Herein, individual elements are described in separated sections and in various examples. In various embodiments, the apparatus and method additionally include permutations and combinations of each of the elements described herein.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims included below. 

1. An apparatus for holding an archery arrow having a tip relative to a bow with an arrow support, said arrow support automatically withdrawing from a flight path of the arrow upon drawing of the bow by an archer, said arrow support apparatus comprising: a base bar comprising: a bow mounting end, an upper surface, and an axially extended end; a rocker arm connected to said axially extended end of said base bar, said rocker arm extending radially outward from said base bar to an upper outer rocker arm section, a quiver cup connected to said upper outer rocker arm section; and means for withdrawing said quiver cup away from an arrow flight path upon drawing of the bow during use.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing comprises use of a stored mechanical potential energy source applying at least a z-axis force to said rocker arm, wherein said z-axis runs along the length of the bow.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing comprises use of any of: one or more o-rings applying a pivoting force to said rocker arm; and a counter spring applying a pivoting force to said rocker arm.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing comprises use of a bowed material directly and/or indirectly connecting said bow to the arrow tip during use.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said quiver cup comprises a deformable material configured to constrain movement of the arrow tip during use.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base bar comprises an adjustment for setting a radial extension of said arrow support.
 7. An apparatus configured to hold an archery arrow having a tip relative to a bow having a riser during use, comprising: an arrow support, comprising: a rocker arm having a bow end configured to connect to the bow riser during use and an arrow end configured to connect to the arrow tip during use; and means for automatically retracting said arrow end of said arrow support from the arrow tip upon drawing of the arrow, wherein retracting comprises movement of the arrow end of said arrow support at least along a radial axis relative to a length of said arrow support.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for automatically retracting moves said arrow end of said arrow support out of a flight path of the arrow during use.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said arrow support comprises a mechanical potential energy level in a loaded position when in contact with the arrow tip, wherein said mechanical potential energy level provides said means for automatically retracting said arrow end of said arrow support from the arrow tip upon drawing of the arrow.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a base bar configured to connect said bow end of said rocker arm to the bow during use, wherein said base bar comprises an axial adjustment for altering radial extension of said arrow support.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a base bar configured to connect said bow end of said rocker arm to the bow during use, wherein said base bar holds said means for automatically retracting said arrow end of said arrow support.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for automatically retracting comprises use of any of: a pulling force applied to said rocker arm; and a pushing force applied to said rocker arm.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a connection of said arrow tip with said arrow end of said arrow support supplies a counter force to either said pulling force or said pushing force, wherein removal of said counter force causes either said pulling force or said pushing force to move said arrow support out of a launching path of the arrow.
 14. A method of holding an archery arrow having a tip relative to a bow having a riser, comprising: notching the arrow in a string of the bow; mounting said tip of said arrow into a bow end of a rocker arm forming a loaded position, wherein said rocker arm comprises a bow end configured to connect to the riser during use and an arrow end configured to connect to the arrow tip during use, wherein said rocker arm comprises a mechanical potential energy source forcing said end of said rocker arm radially away from an axis of the arrow, wherein said connection of said arrow tip to said bow end of said rocker arm applies a counter force to said rocker arm withdrawing force; and drawing the arrow forming a firing position, wherein said step of drawing removes said counter force from said rocker arm, wherein said mechanical potential energy force moves said bow end of said rocker arm out of a flight path of the arrow. 